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The weekend of the 25th and 26th, local artist Sam Mitchell will be running a two day class on creating your own custom bracelet. Learn new skills and create a beautiful, one of a kind masterpiece which will be uniquely yours! Get more details and sign up today!

Day 1

Learn the basics of sawing, drilling, filing, and sanding. We will work on small samples to get the hang of these skills and talk about their importance in creating jewelry. We will also design our bracelets and create models and templates from which to work.

Day 2

In this class students will learn the necessary skills for working with metal to create a bracelet. We will focus on using hand tools such as a jeweler’s saw frame, hand files, hammers, and pliers. We will also learn how to safely drill and manipulate sheet metal to form 3-dimensional shapes. Craft and technical issues will be addressed as well as formal and conceptual design elements that can potentially be introduced into the work.

“Beadology Iowa opened as Dawn’s Hide & Bead Away in 1987. In August of 2008, the store was sold to current owners Karen and Laurel Kubby. The store is full of beads from around the world: stone, pearl, metal, organic, glass, crystal, and one-of-a-kind flamework beads. We carry jewelry findings, tools, and beadwork supplies. Custom and repair work is a staff favorite. All finished jewelry is made in house. There is an extensive class list that includes wirework, stringing, knotting, flamework, precious metal clay, and seed bead weaving. We pride ourselves on creating a respectful, supportive, and nonjudgemental atmosphere in which jewelry designers–from beginners to professionals–can thrive. This is done in the spirit of collaboration and community building; offering support, instruction, stellar customer service, and a quality product line.” [More…]

“Contemporary handmade American Craft is our focus, and Midwestern artists are our specialty. We’re delighted to bring you the works of more than 200 artists, some of whom are sampled in these pages. Iowa Artisans Gallery was founded in 1984 by twelve craft artists. Five founders still serve as owners, and many staff persons are also artists. The Gallery is a full service retail business, offering phone orders, web orders, layaway, approvals, specialty wraps and special orders. We offer special exhibitions and participate in community art-based events.” [More…]

“For 158 years, Hands Jewelers has been proud to offer a great selection of the finest jewelry money can buy.We hope to helpyou find the perfect ring, necklace, bracelet, earrings or gift item from our excellent selection.” [More…]

“At M.C. Ginsberg, our commitment is to purvey only the finest quality objects. Each object is hand selected on the basis of superior artistic and intrinsic value from sources around the world. And, our professional staff, educated by the Gemological Institute of America, is trained to provide a host of personalized services to fulfill your every wish. Just use your imagination and discover at M.C. Ginsberg what you won’t find anywhere else.” [More…]

“Herteen & Stocker Jewelers has been your family jewelry store since its opening in 1947. Located in the heart of downtown Iowa City’s pedestrian mall, Herteen & Stocker is owned and operated by Willa, Tim, and Terry Dickens. We offer a variety of fine jewelry, watches, and gifts as well as in-house repairs by our certified watchmaker and gemologists. Come see what makes Herteen & Stocker one of Iowa City’s most trusted jewelers. At Herteen & Stocker, ‘Your family’s jewelry is our family’s business.'” [More…]

More than 300 Years Experience

The stores listed on our home page have over 300 years combined experience in the jewelry business. Not just selling jewelry, but artistically crafting it as well. You'll find these stores in downtown Iowa City along two blocks of Washington Street between Clinton Street and Linn Street.